“No man is a failure who is enjoying life.” -William Feather
Get up and do something that you enjoy every day! Studies have found that individuals who engage in more frequent enjoyable leisure activities have better psychological and physical functioning. These leisure activities are pleasurable activities that individuals engage in voluntarily when they are free from the demands of work or other responsibilities.
However, when we are not in the best of spirits, getting up and doing anything can be difficult. In fact, when people are stressed, anxious or depressed, there is a tendency to want to avoid and isolate, which only serves to worsen those uncomfortable feelings. Behavioral activation, a treatment for depression, involves working with depressed individuals to gradually increase their engagement in activities. Sometimes we have to engage in enjoyable activities, even if we don’t feel like it, and wait for the feeling to follow. It has been found to be very effective and you don’t have to be depressed or anxious to reap the benefits of doing things that you enjoy!
Exercise is great for our mind, body and spirit. A brisk 30-minute walk can stimulate various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. However, there are many different things that you can do! Take an inventory of your weekly schedule. Do you regularly engage in activities that you find enjoyable? If the answer is YES, keep up the good work. If the answer is NO, take time to make a list of the things that you enjoy doing and make sure to do at least one of those things daily. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or consume a lot of your time. Here are some suggestions:
1. Join a book club
2. Exercise
3. Meditate
4. Soak in a bathtub
5. Visit family
6. Go to the movies
7. Repair things around the house
8. Go for a walk
9. Golf
10. Make a gift for someone
11. Watch sports
12. Dance
13. Train for a race (e.g., 5K, 1/2 marathon, etc.)
14. Listen to music
15. Draw
16. Cook
17. Go to museums
18. Play a board game
19. Photography
20. Travel to national parks
21. Talk on the phone
22. Writing a letter to someone you haven’t seen in a while
23. Have lunch with a friend
24. Make love
25. Go hiking
26. Get a massage
27. Make tea, coffee or hot chocolate
28. Sit by the fireplace
29. Go bowling
30. Take a dance class
31. Join a public speaking group
32. Develop a business plan
33. Spend quality time with your children
34. Take a shower
35. Eat something sweet
36. Plan a trip
37. Watch the sun rise or set
38. Go to a café
39. Write a poem
40. Organize your office/closet
41. Organize a party
42. Redecorate a part of your home
43. Do yard work
44. Write a story
45. Go window shopping
46. Experience your five senses, one by one
47. Go on a picnic
48. Go jet skiing
49. Ride a bicycle
50. Create your own list of pleasurable activities
This list is just a start. Now that you know the benefits of engaging in pleasurable activities, make a commitment to invest in yourself and do something daily that you enjoy. On your mark, get set, GO. Enjoy!
